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In the film’s opening, the camera drifts beneath sunlit waves to reveal a steel cage tethered to the ocean floor—a silent testament to unseen suffering. Lola and Philip arrive on a remote Greek isle, two British composers whose passion for music has grown threadbare.

The dual narrative weaves between their present-day retreat—heavily scented by salt and solitude—and earlier London days alive with melody and youthful promise. Against stark white architecture and cerulean horizons, the scenery radiates warmth even as the protagonists’ bond cools.

The pacing moves with deliberate restraint, inviting us to dwell in each long take until discomfort becomes its own lyric. We ask: what buried sorrow robs Lola of her voice, both musical and human, and leaves Philip stranded in her silence?

Echoes of Past and Present

Burunova structures the tale as a conversation across time. In London’s glowing lamplight, Lola’s fingers danced across piano keys; here,...

Seated before a photo of filmmaker Sarah Moldoror, panelists at this year’s Women in Film roundtable shared strategies for greater industry parity, while reflecting on recent successes and standstills in that ongoing pursuit. Variety has been give access to the video of the panel discussion.

Organized by Magaajyia Silberfeld and Winta Ghebre, and moderated by journalist and filmmaker Rahmatou Keïta, the Venice Film Festival roundtable brought together filmmakers Malgorzata Szumowska (“Woman Of”), Gina Kim (whose 3D-360 doc “Comfortless” screens in Venice Immersive), and Leila Basma (director of the Horizons-selected short “Sea Salt”), alongside set decorator Brandi Kalish (“The Killer”).

Moderator Rahmatou Keïta stressed the need for historical memory and for a greater degree of focus in order to prevent real gains from slipping into PR lip service. Keïta made mention of the equality charter signed at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival before caustically pointing out that five years prior,...

Frustrated with the lack of diversity and inclusion in the French film industry, 16 black actresses took to the red carpet in Cannes on Wednesday night, staging a protest against racism just days after 82 women, led by Cannes jury president Cate Blanchett, launched their own call for gender equality.

Led by actress Aïssa Maïga (“Bamako”), the group struck a defiant note while promoting a new book, “Noire N’est Pas Mon Métier” (My Profession is Not Black), which Maïga co-authored.

Speaking with Variety, the actress called it “a historic moment” as 16 black women linked arms on the red carpet outside the Palais for the first time. “It was beyond my wildest dreams,” she said. “For 20 years, I’ve been acting, and I’ve never felt like this.

“This was a statement we wanted to make to the entire world.”

The book features candid stories about the prejudice faced by black actresses in the French film industry.